Center Point-Urbana holds off Crestwood for third state softball bid in four years

CENTER POINT — Nursing a two-run lead in the final frame, Bailey Smith attempted to end the game with one play.

Eyeing a 1-4-3 double play, the Center Point-Urbana senior pitcher whirled and watched her errant toss put the tying run on base.

'I consider myself a leader on the team,' Smith said. 'And when I let myself fall apart, the rest of the team can, too. So I just knew that if I kept going and I kept pushing my defense, we were going to get that last out.'

Smith's faith was rewarded with a pair of ground-ball outs sandwiched around a walk, and seventh-ranked Center Point-Urbana held off Crestwood in a Class 3A softball regional final, 6-5, and advanced to the state tournament for the third time in four years.

'I can't even say the right words,' first-year CPU Coach Don Vanourney said. 'I'm so happy for those guys. We're just looking forward to some good practices this week and coming out next week and playing some Stormin' Pointers softball.'

CPU (29-10) is seeded fifth and will open the Class 3A state tournament with a quarterfinal against fourth-seeded Humboldt (31-4) July 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Fort Dodge.

Early on, it appeared as if the Stormin' Pointers might coast to state in resounding fashion. An RBI walk for Claire Holtz started a four-run first inning, highlighted by a sharp bases-loaded single by freshman Reagan Schutte that skipped off the glove of the Crestwood center fielder and scored Claire Chandler, Katelyn Banning and courtesy runner Madeline Heins.

'I was like, 'Heck yeah, let's keep going!'' Schutte said.

Crestwood (24-8) hit the ball hard off Smith in the second inning. A two-run double by Annie Mast cut the CPU lead in half, then Mast scored on a Kaylie Henry double to pull within 4-3.

Smith (12-4) settled down and retired 10 of the next 12 batters. She was careful to limit any damage from Crestwood freshman Laken Lienhard, who entered the game tops in the state in doubles (28) and slugging percentage (1.243), third in batting average (.577) and seventh in home runs (14).

'I knew I wasn't going to give her anything good, but I wasn't scared of her,' said Smith, who walked three and tallied four strikeouts. 'I knew I had to attack her just like anybody else. I was just trying to get an out from her. She is a good hitter, but I think we handled it really well defensively.'

Lienhard did reach base three times and scored a run, but flied out to right field in the second inning with the tying run at third base. In the circle, Lienhard — sixth in 3A with a 1.25 earned run average — surrendered seven hits and four earned runs and dropped to 16-4 this season.

CPU junior Olivia Brecht reached base four times, including two doubles, and also drove in a run. Brecht scored when Banning singled in the second inning.

For a freshman like Schutte — who also reached on an error and eventually scored a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning — playing a key role in helping her senior teammates return to the state tournament after last year's regional final loss to Solon was paramount.

'I want them all to have a great senior season, so why stop now?' Schutte said. 'Let's keep going.'

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